Experienced Assault and Battery Lawyers Fighting for Your Future
Last updated on November 3, 2025
At The Law Office of Marvin Knorr & Associates, we are dedicated to providing our clients with a zealous violent crimes defense. Our team of Covington assault and battery lawyers has assisted thousands of clients in their years of experience, and they are committed to ensuring that our clients are treated fairly and that their rights are respected in the criminal justice system. Our criminal defense attorneys can provide you with the strategic defense that you need as you deal with the charges facing you.
Come speak with us today so that we can begin providing you the defense you need. We serve clients in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio – including those in Covington, Cincinnati, Aurora and other nearby communities. Contact our firm today online, or call 859-495-1857 to get started.
What Is The Difference Between Assault & Battery?
Assault is when someone intentionally, wantonly or recklessly threatens to harm another person or places them in a position of fearing that they will be harmed. Battery refers to the act of physically touching or harming a person without their consent. Both of these can be serious offenses, depending on the degree of which you are charged. For example, a first degree felony assault has a minimum sentence of at least ten years imprisonment along with a fine of up to $10,000.00. Even if you are a first time offender and are charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor assault, that can result in up to a year in prison.
Battery is a subcategory of assault and is commonly an included charge when you are charged with assault. Battery can range from simple battery, sexual battery, domestic battery or aggravated battery depending upon the circumstances when it was committed, but all of them can result in punishments as severe as those for assault.
What defenses are available for assault and battery charges?
Every case is unique, but one of the most common defenses is self-defense. For example, you are legally allowed to use force to defend yourself or others if someone else is the aggressor, so you may be able to claim that you are not guilty of assault and battery on those grounds. Other defenses include presenting an alibi or claiming cases of eyewitness misidentification.
Can assault and battery charges be elevated to felonies?
Many simple assault cases only qualify as misdemeanors or state-level crimes. But aggravated assault can often elevate those charges to felony counts. One potential aggravating factor is if the other person suffers serious bodily injury. Aggravated assault charges may also apply if a firearm, a knife or another weapon was used in the assault. You can sometimes face elevated charges depending on who the alleged victim is, such as if it is a child, an elderly person or a law enforcement officer.
What are the penalties for assault and battery in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana?
In Ohio, an aggravated assault conviction could be a first-degree felony, which may lead to fines of up to $20,000 and as long as 11 years behind bars. A simple assault, on the other hand, could lead to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
Kentucky classifies battery as a subcategory under assault. When classified as a Class B felony, for example, it could lead to up to 20 years behind bars.
In Indiana, assault often refers to making threats, while battery charges are used if someone suffered harm. A battery charge could be a Class B misdemeanor, leading to a fine of $1,000 and up to 180 days behind bars. That said, when charged as a Level 2 felony, the prison term could be extended to up to 30 years, and you could face as much as $10,000 in fines.
Don’t Face Assault and Battery Charges Alone — Our Lawyers Serve KY, OH & IN
With the severe penalties facing you with assault and battery charges, you cannot afford to take a chance by going against the criminal justice system alone or with a public defender. The Law Office of Marvin Knorr & Associates has the knowledge and the skills to assist you in creating a strong and strategic defense. Call our office today at 859-495-1857 or by completing our online contact form to send us a brief description of your case.